Chiral colorimetric sensor 4 has been synthesized, and the structure characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The chiral recognition of the receptor was studied by ¹H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results of non-linear curve fitting indicate that the receptor 4 and l- or d-mandelate and alanine anions form a 1:1 stoichiometric complex. The obvious colour change of receptor 4 can be observed by the naked eye when the enantiomers of mandelate and alanine anions are added, which demonstrates that receptor 4 may be used as the colorimetric sensor for the two carboxylic anions.